News Releases

SANTA ANA, Calif. - John Wayne Airport opened the new Terminal C to the traveling public today. The $543 million Airport Improvement Program, funded without the use of tax dollars, opened on schedule and within budget.

Terminal C includes six new bridged aircraft gates, two new commuter terminals, more security checkpoints and new dining and shopping options. The Improvement Program adds 282,000 square feet of new space to the existing 448,000 square feet in Terminals A and B at the Thomas F. Riley Terminal..

"Terminal C brings passengers more convenience and customer service amenities; we are now one of the first U.S. airports to offer travelers a universal system to check in and print a boarding pass for any airline from any self-service kiosk throughout the Thomas F. Riley Terminal," said Alan L. Murphy, Airport Director. "To top off this milestone day, we are thrilled to learn that Southwest Airlines (via AirTran) intends to launch service to Mexico City and Cabo San Lucas from Orange County next year, utilizing our first-ever international facilities."

For the time being, Frontier and Southwest Airlines – who will be moving into Terminal C – will continue to support departing customers from their current locations in Terminal B. While Terminal C and the adjoining Parking Structure C are open and operational, passengers flying Frontier and Southwest Airlines who need to check their luggage should use these carriers' existing ticket counters in Terminal B. Those not checking bags can check-in, print boarding passes and go through security screening in Terminal C.

Other enhancements to John Wayne Airport's Riley Terminal include:

New, easy-to-read flat screen monitors throughout the airport, featuring flight and baggage information for all airlines.

Five new passenger security screening lanes.

Customer Service desks located in each terminal across from gate areas allowing airlines to easily rebook passenger flights; airport staff will be able to provide additional face-to-face customer service from these locations as well.

In addition to the new terminal, the Airport Improvement Program includes a new parking structure with more than 2,000 parking spaces and advanced parking technology:

Digital signage to help travelers know how many parking spots are available in real-time.

Kiosks that allow travelers to pay for parking as they exit the airport (pay-on-foot), before getting to their cars, for greater convenience.

New restaurants and shops have already opened and others will begin serving customers in the weeks ahead – bringing a combination of Orange County and well-known national brands to the airport.

New Orange County-based or -themed restaurants include:

Zov's

Anaheim Ducks Breakaway Bar & Grill

Javi's

Hobie Sand Bar

Jerry's Wood-Fired Dogs

Caterina's
Ruby's Diner and Ruby's Grab N' Go (opening in 2012)

Fresh Market by Laguna Culinary Arts (opening in 2012)

Other food and beverage options include:

La Tapenade Mediterranean Café

Ciao Gourmet Market

Vino Volo

California Pizza Kitchen

Subway
Carl's Jr./Green Burrito

Pei Wei

Pinkberry

McDonald's and McCafé (being remodeled in 2012)

Creative Croissants (operating at the Airport since 1990)

Retail, news and gift options include:

CNBC News Orange County

Discover Orange County/Tech on the Go

Hudson News Newswall

Sunglass Hut/Rip Curl

CNN Newsstand Orange County

Beachfront News and InMotion Entertainment store

CNBC News Express

South Coast News

OC Travel Mart

According to an economic impact study conducted by the Orange County Business Council in 2010, the John Wayne Airport Improvement Program resulted in nearly $1.2 billion of economic benefit for the local community. For every $1 invested in the program, more than $2 circulated back into the economy. And it created approximately 6,670 much-needed jobs over the life of the project.

John Wayne Airport (SNA) is owned by the County of Orange and is operated as a self-supporting enterprise that receives no general fund tax revenue. The Airport serves approximately nine million passengers annually, reaches 20 nonstop destinations in the United States and Canada and is served by 10 commercial passenger airlines. More information can be found at www.ocair.com.